Floater's diary

[Trusylver]

I did my usual bicep curls and tried a new thing targeting the triceps where the weight is behind one's back and elbows point straight up towards the ceiling, no idea what it's called. It felt kind of nice to do and definitely felt effective

I assume you mean an overhead tricep extension ?

https://exrx.net/WeightExercises/Triceps/DBOneArmTriExt

yes, it is a normal exercise as @LaMaria said but it is easy to overload it too much. I prefer a french press in the lying position but it can be done standing or seated. Similar to a Skull Crusher but the bar comes down behind the head. however all of these exercises require good shoulder mobility if you don't have that then anything over and behind the head is not a good option in which case skull crushers are a better option.

 

[Floater]

Thank you @Trusylver ! Shoulder mobility is not an issue, I'm hypermobile Thank you for the link!

 

[Llama]

On the topic of hypermobility: if you're not used to overhead work your coordination and joint stability may be crap in that position even if you can get into it easily. That could play a role.

Edit: I love your last post! I'm 100% convinced Nera knows you're feeling better and is loving it.

 

[Trusylver]

I agree with the stability issue just mentioned. My youngest ASD son has hypermobile shoulders and needs to work continually to maintain good stability without injury. A good slow build up is best, don't rush. Slight discomfort when learning a new exercise is fine but not pain.

 

[Floater]

@LaMaria @Trusylver thank you - I'll take it easy and build up from there. I did notice yesterday that to keep the line of movement clean and my shoulders controlled, I had to scale down on the weight used, but I guess that when done properly and with light enough weights the exercise might even increase my joint stability and control over time. I'll keep experimenting and see if it feels good!

I had nightmares again, Nera jumped onto the bed we slept spooning for a while. Not an easy feat on a single bed, as she's almost 30kgs But at least I got sleep! And it's Halloween, and perfect weather for that, cool and misty! I should have breakfast now and then start making the root vegetable soup. I think I'll have rye bread and eggs, quick and convenient.

 

[Floater]

I had congee with marinated egg, ham, and sprouts for lunch, and I have a root veg, bean and ham casserole in the oven. It has one big turnip, four beets, four carrots, a shallot, two cloves of garlic, three cans of butter beans, 200g of cubed fatty ham and spices + oil. I don't plan to do much else today, tomorrow is swimming day again and today I'll just take it easy and go to sleep early.

PS I have to go to the doctor on 3.11 to get my prescriptions renewed, and it's also my benefits day and the day I'm supposed to get my second dose of the covid vaccination. Last time I was in the city center I noticed there's a new fast food joint in there that sells fried chicken, and I think I'll have lunch there. (I hate going to doctors, and I'm kind of scared they'll require me to have labs done or drug tests taken which I absolutely loathe, because pissing in a cup in ront of a nurse as a trans guy is kind of humiliating for me personally. I mean of course I'll pass the drug test if they require one, but it's stressful nevertheless!)

 

[Llama]

because pissing in a cup in ront of a nurse as a trans guy is kind of humiliating for me personally

As a cis woman I would die of embarrassment. I technically understand the need for oversight with drug tests, but... No! Besides: is there a reason the doctor would require you to take a drug test? Are you meds dangerous to take if combined with recreational drugs?

 

[Floater]

is there a reason the doctor would require you to take a drug test? Are you meds dangerous to take if combined with recreational drugs?

It's more a legality question, nothing personal - Finland is super strict about any meds that affect the central nervous system.

Methylphenidate is a class A narcotic unless prescribed by a doctor, so ADHD medication users are tightly monitored for drug addiction not to the drugs themselves but because there's this idea that we might sell our prescribed medication forward illegally in order to fund other drugs. Or something like that. When it comes to the dangers of using ADHD meds with other drugs, the possible bad interactions are with alcohol or other stimulants (risk of OD), but ADHD meds plus downers or weed are not a dangerous combo, they just balance each other out.

It might be that I'm just fretting over nothing, I mean I have the autism assistance person with me so she can vet for me being squeaky clean. And not all doctors are as anal about it as others. I have noticed that any psychiatric or neuropsychiatric diagnosis in Finland can lead to the docs wanting to test for drugs despite there not being any other reason to worry... It kinda sucks, but it is what it is.

 

[Floater]

5 portions prepped for later to be had with different carbs for complete amino acids, and so that I won't get totally sick of eating the same thing for the next three days lol. If I'm asked to give a drug test sample, it's going to be cute and pink lol. The food turned out great, I'm having a big portion plain now that it's fresh and lovely.

PS today was one of the two national CLOWNERY DAYS of messing with the clocks. One would think that a night owl like me enjoys having an hour more to sleep in in the morning as Finland switches to winter time, but in reality this just means that it get dark at 4PM. A total shitshow, I hate this and I will be jet lagged and confused for at least a week now. Oh and so begins the portion of the year when me and the sun are rarely out and about at the same time.

 

[Llama]

A couple of years ago there was a lot of talk about getting rid of daylight saving time and I could´ve sworn they planned to stop it this year but my clocks disagreed again this morning. So now it´s pitchblack outside and it isn´t even 5 yet.

 

[Floater]

A couple of years ago there was a lot of talk about getting rid of daylight saving time and I could´ve sworn they planned to stop it this year but my clocks disagreed again this morning. So now it´s pitchblack outside and it isn´t even 5 yet.

Yup, if memory serves, the reason why we are not yet rid of DST is because the pandemic took priority so it couldn't be properly planned or something.

 

[Floater]

Finnish All Saints Day isn't until 6.11. but Halloween and all that is ultimately about remembering our dead loved ones. I just came back from the grocery (I got creme fraiche, tortillas, and grated cheese) and was thinking about the cats I've loved in my life. As a dog owner I mostly talk about things that Nera is up to, and having that bond with any animal at all and taking the time to give them a good and species typically stimulating life will of course mold us as well. But my love towards little critters is not limited to dogs.

I think I want to write and reminisce more about Vilma and Tiuku. Both cats were unfairly euthanized and I was too young to even understand what was going on, much less to stop it. I have stated it elsewhere that in my childhood family, only dogs could expect to make it to an old age; after all, dogs are more closely supervised than other pets so having dogs just snuff it on a frequent basis would have been inconvenient for my parents.

To everyone here who has cats or who has had and/or loved a cat, I remember how wonderful they are, how curious their little faces look, how comforting they feel when they curl up in your lap for a purr and a nap. They seem to be a very underappreciated pet; while shit dog dog owners are a dime in a dozen, cats are often treated more like props than as pets. This is all I can say this time. Maybe the veil between worlds really is thinner at this time of the year, and my old friends are visiting my headspace, maybe I'm psyching myself up, but either way... I owe so much to so any wonderful animals who gave me company and comfort in my shitty childhood. They deserved better.

 

[Llama]

You deserved better, too.

Thank you for the solution to my daylight saving headache, by the way. I asked several people who didn't remember if there'd ever been consensus on when to stop it and while google confirmed it HAD been decided at some point I wasn't able to find the official reason.

 

[Cate]

You definitely deserved better and so did the cats. I'm glad you have Nera. My little Archie curls up on my knee in a ball just like a cat. He sighs, rather than purrs though. Do you freeze any of your meals?
Daylight savings works really well in Southern Australia. It just seems to be a good fit here.

 

[Floater]

You definitely deserved better and so did the cats. I'm glad you have Nera. My little Archie curls up on my knee in a ball just like a cat. He sighs, rather than purrs though. Do you freeze any of your meals?
Daylight savings works really well in Southern Australia. It just seems to be a good fit here.

I sometimes freeze stuff but it rarely re-emerges from the ice box...

Archie is a darling. Dog sighs of comfort are so cute. It's like they let all of the stress out and just chill. <3 I'm glad that daylight savings works at least for someone - I think it was initiated in NZ? By a post man who loved butterfly hunting and wanted to be able to indulge in his hobby after working hours? Don't quote me on this though

Today I had the last visit by an elderly autism assistance person who had her last shift ever today. It was surprisingly emotional, but I didn't want to make a fuss. I hope she'll have a lovely retirement with her dogs and grand kids. She brought me a piece of cake, and I had it just now in her honor, as well as two quesadillas. I kinda wanted to gift her something, but she ha said beforehand that she wants to move on and won't even contact her old colleagues, as it's easier for her this way. I can respect that. I hope she'll be happy and fulfilled.

 

[Cate]

How sweet that your autism assistance person brought you cake I hope she has a wonderful retirement too.
Archie is a darling. I hate not being able to walk him at the moment, but G is doing that. He's not getting his big long walks though. I miss them!

 

[Floater]

@Cate fingers crossed for your speedy recovery! I'm sure Archie understands. *Hugs*

 

[Floater]

I had a big portion of root veg+bean+ham casserole with pasta, creme fraiche and cheese for breakfast. Assistance will come over soon and after that I'll go water jogging!

 

[Llama]

Sounds delicious and like something that would keep you full enough to stay in the water for a while.

 

[Floater]

I had a banana before water jogging, and jogged for 120 minutes total with a pee and hydration break after 60 mins.

I was suprised to find out how angry and frustrated I felt, not at the exercise but about the fact that I need to partake in mandatory sexual therapy as part of my transition process for no other reason than being autistic. I would get it if everyone had to go through it, but it's only mandatory for autistic trans people in my municipality, not for those living elsewhere. I just have to bite my tongue and be a good boy and tell the nice sexual therapist lady all about how I masturbate and my whole trauma history when it comes to sex, and hope that she doesn't blacklist me as "too traumatized to transition". Her expertise would be in better use telling teenagers how to make DIY dental dams and reminding middle aged couples to wash their dildos after each use, but I have no option but to play along. Sorry about the vent, I just find this so unfair and humiliating.

I had my usual porridge in the locker room and just put my dinner in the oven: yesterday's casserole, broccoli, cubed tofu and a quartered shallot. The last three items were lightly brushed with truffle infused olive oil and soy sauce. Maybe I'll feel better after eating. I also bought a 50 g bar of banana toffee, I'll see whether I'll eat it today as dessert or tomorrow before going to the gym. It seemed to give me a nice edge at the gym last time I went...!